“Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara,” she answered, “for the Almighty has made me very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has pronounced judgment on me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” (Ruth 1: 20-21)
Naomi had such a negative view of God and seemed to believe that He was out to get her. Oh how many times I have thought that way. When I have been in the midst of a series of trials, where one bad thing piles on top of another, I have often drifted to thoughts like Naomi had:
“Why, God, are You punishing me?”
“Why do horrible things seem to always happen to me?”
“How come good things are always happening for other people?”
“Am I that terrible of a person?”
It is so easy for me to become bitter and allow the negative thoughts to flood my mind. But on the other hand, when I allow God’s truths to penetrate my heart, my thought life drastically changes and I have a total attitude shift. Thankfully, His Word offers hope in the midst of trials.
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You because You have not abandoned those who seek You, Yahweh.” (Psalm 9:9-10)
Thank You, Jesus, that You do not rule with an iron fist. You are a God of love, hope, and protection. I praise You that You are my refuge, and that You hide me in the shelter of Your wings. I am so grateful that Your Word is Truth and has the power to transform and to heal. I love You, Lord.
Amen
Suzie Lawyer (suzielawyer)
Sixty-six books in a year 